Salem, Ore. - Two 1042 Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Army National Guard, Blackhawk helicopters are leaving Salem to assist in the rescue of seven climbers who fell into a crevasse on Mt. Hood. The crews of the helicopters were pulled out of pre-deployment training to assist in this real-world mission.

At the request of Oregon Emergency Management and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, the Army National Guard soldiers are making their way to the mountain.
The crew for the first helicopter is: pilot Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Cataldo; co-pilot Chief Warrant Officer 4 Al Jung; crew chief Sgt. James Tourney; and flight medics Sgt. Patrick Casha and Sgt. John Thelt.

These soldiers will soon travel with the remainder of the 1042nd Med. Co. to Fort Bragg, N.C., in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They will be tasked to perform their primary mission of medical evacuation and initial treatment. The duration of the deployment is not known at this time.